Method of and apparatus for shaping metal delivered in a molten condition



Feb. 15, 1938.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A'MOLTEN CONDITION Oiginal Filed April 5, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 15, 1938. LQW 2,108,752

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTEN CONDITION Original Filed April 5. 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 15, 1938. M. LOW 2,108,752

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTEN CONDITION Original Filed April 5, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 15, 1938. ow 2,108,752

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTEN CONDITION Original Filed April 5, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 50 y 5.9 4 f if 4 M. LOW

Feb. 15, 19389 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTEN CONDITION Original Filed Apr il 5, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 L W '4-IIIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Feb. 15, 1938. M, Lo 2,108,752

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTEN CONDITION Original Filed April 5, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 //////////fi/l//////////////////////// I. d lzaln 3 DnOW Feb. 15, 1938. M, LOW 2,108,752

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTEN CONDITION Original Filed April 5, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Feb. 15, 1938. M. LOW 2,108,752

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTEN CONDITION Original Filed April 5, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 l l I l Patented I Feb. 15, 1938 Memoir on Am. arraaarns non, snarmc METAL DELIVERED m a .xuonrarr eoN- DITIDN Marshall Law, Washington, D. C.

Application April 5, i934, Serial No. 719,215 Renewed fanuary 1'7, 1938 35 Claims.

' drawings, means for carrying the invention into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful application to the particular construction, which for the purpose of explanation has been made the subject of illustration.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus con-- :tructed in accordance with the present inven- Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. l. i

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on line t--t of Fig. 1.

5 is an end view of the structure shown in Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 'i-l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but illustrating the cooling and shaping rolls separated to interrupt the supply of plastic material thereto and to also discharge material delivered to the chamber between the rolls.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view pairs of cooling and shaping rolls, the arrows indicating the direction of rotation thereof when it is desired to obtain a single sheet from the left hand rolls, as viewed in this figure.

Fig. 10 is a similar view illustrating the direction of rotation of the rolls when it is desired to obtain asingle sheet from the right hand pair of rolls, as viewed in this figure.

Fig. 11 is a similar view illustrating the direction of rotation of the rolls when it is desired to obtain two sheets simultaneously from opposite sides of the apparatus.

Fig. 12 is a similar view illustrating the direction of the rolls when it is desired to deliver a single sheet downwardly between the lower rolls of the cooperating pairs of rolls, and

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the direction of flow of the several temperature con;

illustrating two trolling media through the different rolls and in the vicinity of the material being delivered thereto.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view of the thermoresponsive means for automatically varying the speed of rotation of the rolls in accordance with the temperature of the metal.

Referring to the drawings, an apparatus embodying the present invention is shown as comprising a base 1! preferably of cast construction, suitably anchored upon a concrete foundation 2, and having a pair of parallel frame members 3 secured thereto along its edges at what may be termed the front and rear of the apparat which frame members are tied together adjacent their ends by plates t reinforced by channel bars 5 secured to the under sides thereof. Mounted in bearings t provided on the frame members 3, is a pair of parallel longitudinally extending shafts l upon each of which a pair of carriages or pedestals t are mounted, one at each end, for lateral swinging movement. each pair are maintained in spaced relation with respect to one another and in abutting relation to the frame members 3, by means of a back up roll 9 of solid construction and also by means of a pair of upper and lower cooling and shaping rolls it and M respectively.

The lower rolls ii are supported directly by the back up rolls 9 and comprise tubular shafts if the ends of which are journaled in floating bearings it (Fig. 3) which are mounted for vertical sliding movement in ways "it provided in the carriages ii. The intermediate portions of the shafts it are formed with spaced collars it upon which outer cylindrical shells it are fixed. preferably by shrinking. The collars it are formed with openings ill, the openings in adjacent collars beingstaggered or ofiset circumferentially relative to one another so as to cause a cooling medium to traverse a tortuous path in passing through the rolls from end to end, as will hereinafter be described. The tubular shafts it are provided with partitions it (Fig. 3) intermediate their ends and also with openings i9 adjacent to the ends of the rolls for establishing communication between the tubular shafts and the interior of the lower rolls at each end thereof.

A temperature controlling medium which may be cold water or steam according to the nature of the material shaped by the rolls, is directed through one of the lower rolls H from end to end in one direction and through the other of the lower rolls H in an opposite direction, from flexible inlet pipes it, the upper ends of which The carriages t of tubular flanged nipples 22 which are bolted to the outer surfaces of the floating bearings 93 in axial alignment with thetubular shafts i2. The lower ends of the inlet pipes 28 are secured by clamping straps 23 to flanged nipples 24 mounted on inlet valves 25 which control communication between the inlet pipes 20 and supply mains or conduits 26 located at the front and rear of the apparatus.

After passing through the lower rolls ii the temperature controlling medium escapes from these rolls through flexible outlet pipes 27 the upper ends of which are secured. by means of clamping straps 28 (Figs. 2 and 3') to flanged nipples 29 which are bolted to the floating bearings |3 at the other end of the rolls. The lower ends of the outlet pipes 21 are secured by clamping straps 30 to flanged nipples 3| which communicate with discharge mains 32 also located at the front and rear of the apparatus.

The upper rolls IU of each of the pairs of rolls are of slightly less diameter than the lower rolls H but are substantially the same in construction as the lower rolls .in that they also comprise tubular shafts 33 the ends of which are journaled in vertically adjustable slide bearings 34 mounted 'in ways 35 provided in the carriages 8 (Fig. 3) The intermediate portions of the shafts 33 are formed with spaced collars 36 upon which outer cylindrical shells 31 are fixed, preferably by shrinking. The collars 36 are provided with staggered openings 38, similar to those described in connection with the lower rolls tubular shafts 33 are also provided withpartitions 39 intermediate their ends (Fig. 3) and also with openings 48 for establishing communication between the shafts 33 and the interior of the rolls ID at the ends thereof.

A temperature controlling medium is also directed through the upper rolls ID in opposite directions with respect to one another and in opposite directions with respect to that of the flow of the medium'through the associated lower rolls I I, from flexible inlet pipes 4| the upper ends of which are secured by means of clamping straps 42 to tubular flanged nipples 43 bolted to the outside surfaces of the slide bearings 34. The lower ends of the inlet pipes 4| are secured by clamping straps 44 to flanged nipples 45 mounted on inlet valves 46 which control communication between the inlet pipes 4| and supply mains 0r conduits 41 located at the front and rear of the apparatus.

After passing through the upper rolls III the temperature controlling medium escapes from these rolls through flexible outlet pipes 48 the upper ends of which are secured by means of clamping straps 49 to flanged nipples 58 which are bolted to the outer faces of the adjustable slide bearings 34 at the other side of the apparatus. The lower ends of the outlet pipes 48 are secured by clamping straps 5| to flanged nipples 52 which communicate with discharge mains 53 also located at the front and rear of the apparatus.

From an inspection of Fig. 13, it will be apparent that the construction and arrangement of the several inlet and outlet pipes is such that the temperature controlling medium flows through the upper and lower rolls l0 and H of each of the pairs of rolls in opposite directions, and also that the direction of flow of the medium is in opposite directions when the corresponding rolls of the pairs of rolls are considered. This tends toward an equalization in heat exchange longitudinally of the rolls.

The upper rolls i8 may be raised and lowered with respect to the lower rolls in order to provide a sheet forming pa s of the desired size between the rolls of either or both'of the pairs of rolls, by means of adjusting screws 54 having heads 55 (Fig. 3) at their lower ends which are rotatably confined within keepers 56 bolted to the upper surfaces of the slide bearings 34. The upper portions of the adjusting screws 54 are threaded into worm nuts 51 which are confined between the upper ends of the carriages 8 and bars 58 secured to the carriages by plates 59. The worm nuts'51 are rotated in order to raise or lower the adjusting screws 54, slide bearings 34, and rolls i8 journaled therein, by means of worms 60 (Fig. 2) which are fixed to stud shafts 6| journaled in the plates 58. Sprocket wheels 62 are fixed to the outer ends of the shafts 6| and are rotated by sprocket chains 63 which pass around sprocket wheels 64 fixed to shafts 65. These shafts are journaled in swivelled or self-aligning bearings'BB secured to the sides of the carriages 8 and may be rotated from the front of the apparatus by hand wheels 61 in order to adiust'the positions of the slide bearings 34 simultaneously.

The function of the self-aligning bearings 68 is to prevent these bearings from binding on the shaft 65 in the event that there is a slight lagging or difference in movement between the carriages of each pair of carriages 8 when the pairs are swung apart, as will presently be described.

When the apparatus is in a position for fabricating one ortwo sheets the carriages 8 occupy vertical positions with the lower rolls substantially contiguous so that the circumferential surfaces of the rolls l0 and II of the pairs of rolls cooperate to define a substantially closed chamber 68 (Figs. 7 and 9 to 13); When in this position the upper rolls l8, being of slightly less diameter than the lower rolls II, are spaced from one another so as to form a restricted opening or neck through which molten metal or other plastic material is adapted to be introduced into the chamber 68 from a feeding device, such as a forehearth or ladle located above the rolls and indicated diagrammatically at 18. Such a feeding device may be provided with a single long narrow slot or orifice II (Fig.8) or a series of openings through which the material flows downwardly into the neck 68 in the form of a curtain I2 (Figs. 7 and 13) the flow being controlled by one or more gates or plungers 13.

The material is prevented from escaping from the chamber 68 lengthwise of the rolls by rotatable confining members 14 which abut the ends of the several rolls. These members are carried by a tubular shaft I5 which extends entirely through the chamber 68 and is journaled at its ends in downwardly extending hangers I6 the upper ends of which are mounted for swinging movement on one or the other of the upper shafts 33. The members 14 are rotated by means of intermeshing gears 11 and 18, the former being fixed to the end members 14 and the latter being fixed to the shaft 33 which carries the hangers 18.

A temperature controlled medium is also directed through the shaft 15 which supports the confining members 14, from an inlet pipe 18, one

.end of which is rigidly connected by means of a flanged elbow 88 to one of the hangers 15 in communication with the tubular shaft 15. This pipe extends upwardly and over the tops of the carriages 8 and communicates at its outer end with the upper end of a flexible inlet pipe 8| it may be refrigerated if desired so as to cooling medium is which is secured thereto by means of a clamping strap B2. The lower end of the inlet pipe 8! is secured by a clamping strap 83 (Fig. 4) to a flanged nipple 84 fixed to a valve 85 which controls communication with one of the supply mains 26.

After passing through the tubular shaft 75 and the end members 14 carried thereby, the cooling medium escapes therefrom through a vertically extending outlet pipe 86 the lower end of which is fixed to the hanger it at the opposite ends of the rolls from the inlet pipe I9, by means of a flanged elbow 81. This outlet pipe extends upwardly and over the carriages 8 at the other side of the apparatus and communicates at its' outer end with the upper end of a flexible outlet pipe 88 which is secured thereto by means of a clamping strap 89. The lower end of the outlet pipe 98 is also secured by a clamping strap 99 to a flanged nipple 9| which communicates with one of the discharge mains 32. i

The curtains or series of streams ll? of molten metal or other material gravitating downwardly into the neck 69 from the orifice it in the forehearth or ladle Iii, may be subjected to a preliminary cooling operation by means of jets of a gaseous cooling medium such as air or steam projected from pipes 92 (Fig. 13) in opposite directions along opposite sides of the descending metal. This cooling medium, if desired may be an inert gas so as to minimize oxidation. Also,

accooling at this point. This preferably projected in didirections of flow of the cooling medium through the adjacent upper roll so as to assist in obtaining a uniform dissipation of heat lengthwise of the neck 69 (Fig. 13).

The rolls in and ill of both pairs of rolls are rotated in the directions indicated by the arrows in Figures 7 and 9 in order to obtain a single celerate the rate of rections opposite to the I sheet (a) from one side of the apparatus, (Figs.

7 and 9) by means of worm gears 93 and 9t which are fixed to the upper and lower tubular shafts 33 and i2 respectively, and which are driven by upper and lower worms 95 and 9% fixed to shafts 97 journaled in bearings 98 carried by the carriages 8 at one side of the apparatus. The shafts 9'! are each provided with a beveled pinion 99 at its lower end for intermeshing engagement with beveled gears Hill rotatably mounted upon each of the supporting shafts i. A worm wheel ml is bolted to the side of each of the beveled gears W and each isdriven by a worm Hi2 fixed to a horizontally extending jack shaft W3 which is journaled in bearing blocks ltd mounted on the base i. Also fixed to the jack shaft m3 is a worm wheel I05 which is driven by a worm M6 fixed to a transversely extending drive shaft EM journaled in a bearing (99 (Fig/5) provided on one of the side frame members 3 and in a bearing block Hi9 carried by the base i. The drive shaft ill! is driven by a variable speed electric motor M (Fig. 14) through the medium of any suitable connections.

It will be noted that the upper worms 95 are of sufficient length to maintain driving engagement with the worm gears 92 in all positions of adjustment of the upper rolls iii.

If it is desired to deliver a single sheet b from the opposite side of the apparatus from that shown-in Figs. 7 and 9, the rolls are rotated in the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 10, by means of supplemental worm gears iii! of opposite lead which are slidably keyed to the shaft B2 of the lower rolls ii and which are driven by supplemental worms i ll of-corresponding lead which are keyed to the shafts 91 for adjustment longitudinally thereof. Also by the proper, selection of these, gears and worms the rolls may be rotated in the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 11in order to deliver two sheets a and b from opposite sides of the apparatus, and also to deliver a single sheet 0 downwardly between the lower rolls as indicated in Fig. 12. In effecting the above described adjustments the worm which is in engagement with a particular worm gear is first loosened on the shaft 97 and slid longitudinally out of engagement with its intermeshing worm wheel. This worm wheel is then loosened and slid longitudinally along the shaft l2 and the worm gear of opposite lead is then slid into operative position and fixed to the shaft it. The. worm. of corresponding lead is then slid along the shaft 91 and in intermeshing relation with this gear wheel and fixed in position.

It will be noted from inspection of Figs. 9 to 12, that the adjacent surfaces of the contiguous rolls either move in opposite directions or move inwardly. This prevents material from escaping from the chamber 68 between any of the rolls except those defining the sheet forming pass or passes.

The carriages 8 are swung apart, as shown in Fig. 8, so as to interrupt the supply of material to the rolls and also to discharge material delivered to the chamber 68, by means of horizontally extending non-rotatable threaded rods it? the inner ends of which are slidably mounted in bearing blocks H3 carried by the sideframes 3, and the outer ends of which in spaced bearing blocks iii! harried by the plates d. Links H5 are pivotally connected at their upper ends, as indicated at he (Fig. 5) to the carriages a and at their lower ends, as at ill to blocks M8 which are threaded ont'o the rods M2 for adjustment longitudinally thereof. horizontally by means of worm nuts H9 which are threaded onto the rods H2 between the spaced bearing blocks lit. These nuts are rotated by means of worms H0 which are fixed to shafts (2i between spaced bearing blocks I22 which are carried by the bearing blocks Md and in which the shafts m are journaled. The shafts i2i extend along each side of the apparatus and may be rotated from one side of the apparatus by means of hand wheels are so as to swing the carriages 9 simultaneously.

It will be noted that the shafts 97 extend radially with respect to the axis of the supporting shaft i so that the beveled pinions 99 maintain driving engagement with the beveled gears I00 in all positions of the carriage 3. This insures that the rolls in and H may be rotated when the same are separated, as indicated in Fig. 8, so as to free or assist in freeing metal adhering thereto.

The base I is provided with an opening 028 directly beneath the rolls so that when the rolls are swung apart the material in the chamber 69 may be discharged into a cullet pit or the like I25 located beneath the apparatus.

The above described lateral swinging movement of the rolls may also be employed to adjust the lower rolls H relative to one another so as to provide a sheet forming pass between these rolls, when it is desired to obtain the single sheet 0 delivered downwardly between the rolls II, as indicated in Fig. 12.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that an The rods i i2 are shifted v apparatus is provided in which the rolls of two pairs of rolls cooperate to define a substantially closed chamber for receiving molten metal delivered from above. This arrangement of the rolls has several advantages in that it minimizes oxidation of the metal in the chamber during the period that it is being cooled preparatory to passing between the rolls to be fabricated thereby into sheet form. Also, heat is extracted from the metal substantially uniformly in a zone surrounding the entire body of metal in the chamber 68 so as to provide layers of plastic metal of substantially equal areas and of approximately the same temperature adjacent to the upper and lower rolls in the vicinity of the sheet forming pass.- The movement of the rolls carries these layers of metal through the pass where they are united to form a sheet having uniformly cooled upper and lower surfaces or skins.

Obviously, if the cooling and shaping rolls I0 and I I are rotated too rapidly with respect to the rate at which the metal in the chamber 68 dissipates its heat, the metal will not become sumciently solidified to retain its sheet form after passing through the pass between the rolls. On the other hand, if the rolls are rotated too slowly the metal may reach such a degree of solidity as to' subject the rolls to excessive strain if not actually freezing while in contact therewith. Also, the temperature of the metal as well as that of the cooling medium'flowing through the rolls may'fluctuate to such an extent and so frequently as to render any constant roll speed impractical.

According to the present invention these difficulties and uncertainties are avoided by theprovision of thermo-responsive means for automatically varying the speed of the motor M andthat of the rolls I0 and II in accordance with the temperature of the metal and any fluctuations therein.

with reference to Fig. 14 of the drawings, the armature winding of the motor M is shown as being energized by direct current which traverses a circuit from a suitable source, such aspositive .bus wire I26, through wire I21, armature winding of motor M, and wire I28, to negative bus wire I36. The field winding of motor M is also energized by current which traverses a circuit from positive bus wire I26, wires I21 and I21, field winding 1 of motor M, wire I28, manually operable switch I29, wire I30, manually adjustable rheostat I 3|, wire I32, back contacts I33, and connecting wires I34 of a series of relays, indicated by the letter 10 with exponents according to their location, and wire I35 to negative bus wire I36. Under these conditions the motor M will drive the cooling and shaping rolls I 0 and II at a speed determined by the manual adjustment of the rheostat I3I and the rolls will fabricate a sheet, as previously described, it the metal dissipates its heat at the proper rate at such roll speed.

The speed of the motor M is automatically controlled by a thermocouple T which is positioned adjacent to the molten metal within the forehearth or ladle III or within the chamber 8 between the rolls I0 and II or both, so that the temperature thereof will generate an electric current in the well known manner in a circuit including wires I31 and I38 connecting the terminals of the thermocouple T with those of a galvanometer G. The hot end of the thermocouple T'is suitably connected to the outer end of a metal bar I39 the inner end of which is exposed to the hot metal and which is provided with a suitable heat insulating covering I48 so as to insure a uniform drop in temperature from end to end. The temperature of the inner end of the bar I39 is that of the metal but the drop in temperature longitudinally of the bar is such as to prevent the thermocouple T from being damaged by being subjected to excessive heat. However, sufficient heat is transmitted to the thermocouple T by conduction to insure that the same will operate properly in accordance with fluctuations in the temperature of the metal within the fore-. hearth I0.

The galvanometer G operates a disk or shutter I provided with an aperture I42 through which light rays emanating from a source of light, such as an electric lamp I43, may be progressively admitted into a series of chambers 0. Located within each of the chambers c is a selenium cell or resistor s and also a lens I for focusing the light admitted through the aperture I42 upon the light sensitive element of the cells 8.

When the temperature of the metal within the forehearth I0 reaches a predetermined degree, the galvanometer G will swing the shutter I to a position in which-its aperture I42 registers with the first chamber c of the series so that light from the lamp I43 will be focused upon the selenium cells s thus rendering the light sensitive element thereof sufllciently conductive to effect the energizing of relay w by current traversing a circuit from positive bus wire I26, through a manually adjustable resistance I44, wire I45, light sensitive element of the selenium cells s wire I46, winding of relay w and wire I41 to the negative bus wire I26. The energizing of the relay 10 causes it to open its back contact I33 and to close a front contact I48 thereof. This opens the circuit previously traced for the motor M but. establishes an auxiliary circuit therefor through the first section 1' of a resistance element R, front contact I48 of relay w and wire I48 to the negative bus wire I36. The introduction of this additional resistance 1' into the motor circuit causes the speed of the motor and that of the rolls to decrease a. predetermined amount so as to allow a greater time for the metal to dissipate its heat and reach the desired degree of plasticity before passing between the rolls.

If the speed of the rolls is still too high to permit the metal to become sufliciently plastic to retain its sheet form after passing between the rolls, the galvanometer G will swing the shutter I4I until the aperture I42 therein registers with the next adjacent chamber 0 of the series so that light from the lamp I43 will render the next succeeding selenium cell s electrically conductive and cause the energizing of the relay w". The energizing of the relay w introduces the next section 1* of the resistance R in the motor circuit so as to cause the motor M to rotate at a still further reduced speed. It will be understood that when the back contact I33 of one of the preceding relays w is opened, as above described, the back contact I33 of the preceding relay 2:) is closed so that the current will be compelled to traverse all of the sections 1' of the re sistance R which are introduced into the circuit by the closing of the front contact of the relay last energized. The above described operations are repeated successively until the desired amount of resistance is included in the circuit of the motor M.

It will be understood that the chambers c are impervious to light except when the aperture I42 in the shutter is moved into registry therewith.

also, it will be understood that suitable ampli- -ying means may be provided in the circuits of the several selenium cells it so desired.

For the purpose or illustration, the current is schematically shown as passing directly through the contacts I and 201 of the relays 10, but it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the contacts of these relays may be employed to energize auxiliary circuits including circuit makers and breakers of a type particularly adapted to carry the current employed, especially where normally high current values are to be dealt with. I

The hereinabove described control system is given by way of example only, it not being in tended to limit the instant improvements to any particular circuit or circuits If desired, the carriages 8 may be mounted on rollers traversing tracks of channel shape so as to permit them to be moved bodily-toward and away from one another in a rectilinear direction. In such event elongated worms, such as the worms at, are substituted for the worms iti so as to maintain driving connection with the rolls during and after their separation.

In addition, vertically reciprocatory confining members may be substituted for the rotatable members id. Conflning members of this type project upwardly further than the rotary type illustrated and consequently permit themetai to completely fill the neck 69, as shown in Figs. 9 to 1 'Also, if desired the carriages may be moved towards and away from one another by means of hydraulic jacks operating simultaneously.

Such modifications require little or no additionalichange in the structure hereinbeiore described.

When metals having a relatively high melting point, such as iron or steel, are rolled it may be found desirable to provide additional pairs of rolls on one or both sides of the apparatus so as to provide a series or chambers communicating with one another through relatively narrow openings between the rolls or the several pairs. These openings may be made adjustable and may function as sheet forming passes.

in this particular arrangement the metal has considerable time within which to dissipate its heat and become plastic. ii the metal becomes plastic before passing through the entire series,

of chambers it will be shaped into sheet form by one of the intermediate pairs oi rolls, the rolls subsequently encountered functioning as addi tional reducing, smoothing, supporting and'cool ing means. On the otherhand, ii the metal does not become plastic until it reaches the last or outermost pair of rolls, them rolls perform the shaping function, the preceding rolls merely runotioning as feeding and cooling means.

The several pairs of rolls may be mounted in contiguous relation so as to exclude as much as possible the entrance at air from the outer at-= mosphere into the chambers, thus preventing or minimizing the oxidation of the metal as it passes from chamber to chamber. The rate oil dissipation of. heat from the metal passing through the chambers may be controlled in accordance with a temperature gradient determined by the temp perature of the metal or the characteristics or the particular metal being rolled, by pirating a cooling medium in controllable amounts through the several pairs of rolls. also, the entire series of rolls may be inclosed within a suitable housing throughwhich an inert cooling gas may be circa that just described lated. An apparatus such as is the subject of applicant's copending application, Serial No. 734,350 filed July 9, 1934, which .constitutes a continuation in part of this application. l

Other modifications and changes in proportion and arrangement of the several necessary elements constituting the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the nature and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. The method of rolling a sheet or bar from iron or steel delivered in a molten conditionwhich comprises the steps of introducing the molten metal into a substantially closed chamber defined by two pairs of rolls arranged in side-by-side relation; rendering the metal in contact with the surfaces of the rolls relatively plastic throughout zones of substantially coextensive areas above and below the line of nearest approach between the rolls of said pairs of rolls} by circulating a heat dissipating medium through said rolls; and uniting the plastic metal of the zones adjacent to at least one of said pairs of rolls by passing the same laterally between such rolls, thus compressing the same to form a sheet or bar cooled on opposite sides substantially equal depths.

2. The method or bars simultaneously from iron or steel delivered in a molten condition, which comprises the steps oi introducing the molten metal into a substantially closed chamber defined by two pairs of rolls arranged in side-by-side relation; rendering the metal in contact with the surfaces of the rolls relatively plastic throughout zones of substantially coextensive areas above and below of rolling a plurality of sheets the line of nearest approach between the rolls oi.

said pairs of rolls, by circulating a heat dissipating medium through said rolls; and uniting the plastic metal oi the zones on opposite sides of said 'chamberby passing the same laterally in opposite directions between the rolls of the adjacent pairs oi rolls, thus compressing the same and simultaneously forming two sheets or bars each cooled on opposite sides substantially equal depths.

3. Apparatus of the character described com prising an assembly oi more than two'rolls arranged to defines. substantially closed chamber ior receiving a supply of molten .metal, a restricted throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber, and a sheet forming pass communicating with said chamber; means for cooling said rolls to extract heat from the metal in said chamber, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas. to the heated metal in said chamber, thus rendering the metal in contact therewith relatively plastic in aones at equal areas on opposite sides of said pass; and means ior rotating said rolls to move the plastic metal of said zones outwardly through said pass to be united by the pressure of said rolls, thus forming a sheet cooled on opposite sides substantially equal depths.

d. Apparatus oi the character described comprising an assembly of four rolls arranged to deing surfaces of substantially equal areas to the heated metal in said chamber, thus rendering the metal in contact therewith relatively plastic in zones of equal areas ofi'opposite sides of said pass; and means for rotating said rolls to move the plastic metal of said zones outwardly through said pass to be united by the pressure of said .rolls, thus forming a sheet cooled on opposite sides substantially equal depths.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising an assembly of four rolls arranged to define a substantially closed chamber for receiving a supply of molten metal,- a restricted throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber, and \two opposed sheet forming passes communicating with said chamber; means for cooling said rolls to extract heat from the metal in said chamber, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the heated metal in said chamber, thus rendering the metal in contact therewith relatively plastic in zones of equal areas on opposite sides of said passes; and means for rotating said rolls to move the plastic metal of said zones outwardly through said passes to be united by the pressure of said rolls, thus simultaneously forming two sheets cooled on opposite sides substantially equal depths.

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed rolls arranged in side-by-side relation and cooperating with one another to define -a substantially closed chamber therebetween for receiving a supply of molten metal, the lower rolls of said pairs of rolls being disposed in contiguous relation to support the metal in said chamber and to prevent the escape 01' metal therebetween, the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being disposed in slightly spaced relation to provide a restricted opening or throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber, and the rolls of certain of said pairs of rolls being spaced to provide a sheet forming pass; means for cooling said rolls, the rolls of said pairs ofrolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equalareas to the heated metal in said chamber, thus rendering the metal in contact therewith relatively plastic.in zones of equal areas above and below said pass; and means for rotating said rolls to move the metal in said throat downwardly into said chamber and the metal in said chamber laterally outwardly through said pass to unite the plastic metal of said zones under pressure, thus forming a sheet or bar cooled on opposite sides substantially equal depths.

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed rolls arranged in side-by-side relation and cooperating with one another to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween for receiving a supply of molten metal, the lower rolls of saidpairs of rollsbeing disposed in contiguous relation to support the metal in said chamber and to prevent the below said passes; and means for rotating said rolls to move the metal in said throat downwardly into said chamber and the metal in said chamber laterally outwardly in opposite directions through said passes to unite the plastic metal of said zones under pressure, thus simultaneously forming two sheets or bars cooled on opposite sides substantially equal depths.

8. Apparatus of the character describedcomprising two pairs of superposed rolls arranged in side-by-side relation and cooperating with one another to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween for receiving a supply of molten metal, the rolls of said pairs of rolls being disposed in contiguous relation to prevent the escape of metal therebetween the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being disposed in slightly spaced relation to provide a restricted opening or throat through which molten metal is adapted to hem-- in said throat downwardly into said chamber and t the metal in said chamber downwardly through said pass to unite the plastic metal of said zones under pressure, thus forming a sheet or bar cooled on opposite sides substantially equal depths.

9. Apparatus such as described in claim 3, including also means responsive to the temperature 'of the metal before it passes the shaping rolls for controlling the-speed of rotation of the rolls.

10. Apparatus such as described in claim 4, including also means responsive to the temperature of the metal before it passes the shaping rolls for controlling the speed of rotation of the rolls. c

11. Apparatus such as describedin claim 5, including also means responsive to the temperature of the metal before it passes the shaping rolls for controlling the speed of rotation of the rolls.

12. Apparatus such as described in claim 6, including also means responsive to the temperature of the metal before it passes the shaping rolls for controlling the speed of rotation of the rolls.

13. Apparatus such as described in claim 7, including also means responsive to the temperature of the metal before it passes the shaping rolls for controlling the speed of rotation of the rolls. a

14. Apparatus such as described in claim '8, including also means responsive to the temperature of the metal before it passes the shaping rolls for controlling the speed of rotation of the rolls.

15. Apparatus of the character described comprising an assembly of more than two rolls arranged to define a substantially closed chamber for receiving a supply of molten metal, a restricted throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber, and

a sheet-forming pass communicating with 'said' chamber; means for cooling said rollsto extract heat from the metal in said chamber, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the heated metal in said chamber, thus rendering the metal in contact therewith relacertain of them to be shaped thereby into a con- ,7

tinuous sheet, and means responsive to the temperature of the metal before it passes the shaping rolls for automatically controlling the speed oi operation of the means which rotate the rolls.

1'7. Apparatus of the character described comprising .two pairs of superposed horizontally dis posed cooling rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, the uppermost rolls of said pairs being disposed in spaced relationship is adapted to be introduced into said chamber to each other to provide a restricted opening through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into the chamber, variable speed driving means for the said rolls arranged to rotate them so as to move the metal from the chamber outwardly between certain of the rolls in the said pairs to be shaped thereby into a continuous sheet, means for adjusting certain of the rolls whereby the pass through which the metal moves when being shaped into a sheet may be changed to form sheets of diflerent thicknesses as desired, and means responsive to the temperature of the metal before it is shaped and passed out ofthe said chamber for controlling the variable speed mechanism. 2

18. Apparatus of the character describedcomprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat through which plastic material is adapted to be introduced into said chamber from above; confining members mounted for longitudinal engagement with the ends of said rolls for preventing the escape of material from said chamber longitudinally of said rolls; and

means for moving said confining members relatively to said rolls to minimize any tendency for material to adhere thereto.

19. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a-substantially closed chamber therebetween, the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat through which plastic material virom above; confining members mounted for iongitudinal engagement with the ends of said rolls for preventing the escape of material from said chamber longitudinally of said rolls; and means for rotating said confining members relatively to said rolls to minimize any tendency for material to adhere thereto,

20. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs'of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and coorating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, certain corresponding rolls of said rs oi rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat through which plastic material is adapted to be introduced into said chamber; rotatable members disposed adjacent to the ends of said rolls for preventing the escape of material from said chamber longitudinally of said rolls; means for rotating said members relatively to said rolls to minimize any tendency for material to adhere thereto; means for rotating said rolls to move material from said chamber between the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls to be shaped thereby; and means for effecting bodily movement between said pairs of rolls and between at least one of said pairs of rolls and said confining members to discharge material from said chamber, said rolls and confining members being rotatable during and after the bodily movement thereof to free material adheringthereto.

21. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by'side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed cham-' ber therebetween, certain corresponding rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the metal in said chamber; means for rotating said rolls to move metal from said chamber between the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls to be shaped thereby; and manually controlled means operable from one side of said apparatus for bodily moving at least one of said pairs'of rolls out of operative relation to the other to discharge metal from said chamber.

' 22. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs'of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, certain corresponding rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the metal in said chamber; bearings for said rolls at the ends thereof; means for rotating said rolls to move metal from. said chamber between the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls to be shaped thereby into a sheet; and manually controlled means operable from one side of said apparatus for simultaneously moving the bearings of one of the rolls of one of said pairs of rolls to adjust such roll relative to the other roll of the same pair, to

vary the thickness of the sheet fabricated thereby.

23. Apparatus of the'character described comprising two pairs of superposedhorizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, certain corresponding rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat through which (iii posed rolls arranged in side-by-side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween; the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber from above, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the metal in said chamber; means for rotating said rolls to move metal outwardly from said chamber between the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls to be shaped thereby; and means for selectively moving said pairs of rolls bodily away from one another while still rotating to discharge metal from said chamber and to free said rolls from metal in conq tact therewith.

25. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced'from one another to provide a restricted throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber from above, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the metal in said chamber; means for separating said pairs of rolls to .discharge metal from said chamber; means for rotating said rolls when together to move metal from said chamber outwardly between the rolls of one of said pairs of rolls to. be

shaped thereby, and also when separated to free said rolls from metal in contact therewith; and means for separating the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls whilethe same are rotating.

26. Apparatus for use in fabrication of sheets or bars directly from molten metal comprising two pairs of rotatable rolls of approximately equal diameters set opposite each other whereby is formed between them an enclosed space for the collection of a body of .molten metal bounded by .the four moving surfaces of the rolls, the upper opposite rolls of the pairs being spaced apart to form between them a pass for the entrance of molten metal to the enclosed space between the rolls, and other of the rolls being spaced apart to form an exit pass for the formed sheet or bar,

' means for cooling the rolls, and means for driving the rolls so as to move the metal after entering the said .enclosed space, about within such space, and finally out through the exit pass, the rolls operating to extract heat directly from the body of metalin-the enclosed space on practically all surfaces of said body and without considerable exposure to atmospheric air.

27. Apparatus of thecharacter described com-' prising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from-one another to provide a restricted throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber from above, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the metal in said chamber; means for rotating the upper rolls of said pairsof rolls with the inner portions of the circumferential surfaces thereof moving downwardly to carry metal into said chamber; and means for rotating the lower rolls f '.|,id pairs 'of rolls in selected directions to move metal optionally from said chamber outwardly between the rolls of one of said pairs of rolls to be shaped thereby into a single sheet, and between-the rolls from above, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the metal in said chamber; means for rotating the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls with the inner portions of the circumferential surfaces thereof moving downwardly to carry metal into said chamber; and

means for rotating the lower rolls of said pairs of rolls in selected directions to move metal optionally from said chamber outwardly between the rolls of one of said pairs-of rolls to be shaped thereby into a single sheet, between the rolls of both of said pairs of rolls simultaneously to be shaped thereby into a pair of sheets, and downwardly between the lower rolls of said pairs of rolls to be shaped thereby into a single sheet.

29. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating, to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one-another to provide a restricted throat through which material fluid when heated is adapted to be introduced mto said chamber from above, said rolls rial passing between the rolls of said selected pair of rolls uniformly transversely of said sheet.

30. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetweemthe upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a'restricted throat through which material fluid when heated is adapted to be introduced into said chamber from above, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the material in said chamber; means for rotating said rolls to move material from said chamber outwardly between the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls to be shaped thereby into a sheet; and means for directing a cooling medium through the upper roll of one of said pairs'of rolls in one direction and through the upper roll of the other of-said pairs of rolls inan opposite direction, to extract heat from the cooperating to define a substantially closed,

chamber therebetween, the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat communicating with said chamber; means located above said rolls for material in said chamber and render the same delivering molten metalto said throat in a relatively thin curtain extending longitudinally of said rolls; means for directing a cooling medium through said rolls to extract heat from the metal in said chamber and render the same relatively plastic, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the metal in said chamber; means for rotating said rolls to move metal from said chamber outwardly between the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls to be shaped ther'eby; and means for directing a gaseous cooling medium adjacent to said curtain of metal to extract heat therefrom prior to the contact of said metal with said rolls.

32. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, the upper rollsof said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat communicating with said chamber; means located above the rolls for delivering molten metal to the said throat in a relatively thin liquid curtain extended longitudinally of the rolls; means for directing a cooling medium through the rolls to extract heat from the metal in the chamber and render the same relatively plastic, the said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of approximately equal areas to the metal in the said chamber; means for rotating the rolls to move the metal from the said chamber outwardly between the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls to be shaped thereby and means for directing a gaseous medium adjacent to the said liquid curtain of metal prior to contact of the metal with said rolls.

33. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat communicating with said chamber; means located above said rolls for delivering molten metal to said throat in a relatively thin curtain extending longitudinally of said rolls; means for directing a cooling medium through said rolls to extract heat from the "closed chamber therebetween,

relatively plastic, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the metal in said chamber; means for rotating said rolls to move metal from said chamber outwardly between the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls to be shaped thereby; and means for directing parallel streams of a gaseous cooling medium in opposite directions along opposite sides of said curtain of metal to extract heat there- 'i'rom uniformly longitudinally of said rolls prior to the contact of said metal with said rolls.

34:. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially closed chamber therebetween, certain corresponding rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat through which molten metal is adapted to be introduced into said chamber, said rolls presenting cooling surfaces of substantially equal areas to the metal vin said chamber; floating bearings for said lower rolls; back-up rolls journaled in fixed bearings for supporting said lower rolls; and means for rotating the rolls of at least one of said pairs of rolls to move metal from said chamberbetween the rolls of such pair to be shaped thereby into a sheet.

35. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of superposed horizontally disposed hollow rolls arranged in side by side relation and cooperating to define a substantially certain corresponding rolls of said pairs of rolls being spaced from one another to provide a restricted throat through which material fluid when heated is 

